2026 vernal equinox occurs Friday, March 20

Countries and territories in the Northern Hemisphere, including the Philippines, will experience the vernal equinox on Friday, March 20, 2026.

The vernal equinox is expected to occur at 10:46 p.m. Philippine time, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA.

PAGASA explained that astronomical seasons are marked by the equinoxes and solstices’ four key points in Earth's journey around the Sun. This happens because Earth is tilted at 23.5 degrees on its axis.

"This marks the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere and the first day of autumn in the southern hemisphere. During the equinox, the Sun is positioned directly above the Earth’s equator, resulting in nearly equal lengths of day and night across the globe," PAGASA said. 

"On this day, the Sun rises precisely due east and sets exactly due west, a phenomenon that occurs only twice a year, during both equinoxes." —VBL, GMA Integrated News